Following on the success of the Cayenne, which was awarded Motor Trend’s 2011 SUV of the Year, Porsche has officially announced it will build a smaller SUV. The new model, which is being developed under the name Porsche “Cajun”, will be built on the same platform as the Audi Q5. The well-received Q5 made its debut in the 2009 model year. Porsche has a majority ownership share in Volkswagen AG, the parent company of the Volkswagen group, which includes Audi.

Porsche bills the model tenatively named “Cajun” as a sporty and efficient SUV, which will expands the brand’s SUV offerings. Currently the Cayenne, which is a mid-size SUV, is the only SUV Porsche sells. The Cajun will slot below the Cayenne and be targeted towards younger buyers. The model will have signature Porsche design with a modified chassis and suspension system in comparison to the Q5. The Cajun will have four doors with seating for up to five passengers. The interior will be based on that of the next-generation Porsche Boxster, which will be released for the 2011 model year.

Porsche is planning the Cajun as a premium compact SUV offering performance and fuel efficiency. The German automaker claims it will make the model light, agile, and easy to handle. In summary, Porsche claims the Cajun will be an “…an attractive entry model into the Porsche world…”

It is likely the Porsche Cajun will have a base price below $40,000. The Cajun is expected to go on sale by the 2015 model year.

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[…] engine it would use on its less expensive models such as the Boxster, Cayman, and upcoming Porsche Cajun. It remains to be seen whether Porsche develops a new four-cylinder engine in house or borrows from […]

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